Seitz Photography » Personal

We Are Family

bseitz — Sat, 08 May 2010 13:57:15 +0000

What’s in a name? Mom – the name we all know because we all have or had one. Who are our moms – these women we see everyday – who come in all shapes and sizes – who love us for years and years and years? They all have their own story but, because they are our moms, we don’t always stop to think of them as individuals – their thoughts, their dreams – who they are when they are not a mom. And we don’t tell them enough how they are loved and appreciated.

I am writing this because tomorrow is Mother’s Day. Because, even though I am a mom and now a grandmom, I still need my mom as much as ever. Because my mom is always there – steady, encouraging, loving. Who was she – you know – before she was my mom? A graduate from Douglas College with a degree in Bacteriology no less – when most women did not go to college … first generation born in America … one of only 2 surviving siblings in her family… a beautiful young woman who found the love of her life at a friend of her mother’s house.

Then she became a mom – and that became her life. Babies came quickly – six in all. With each baby my mom’s heart just grew. She loved us all and then loved all of our spouses – and then all of our children – and now all of our grandchildren. Proverbs 31 describes my mom so well: “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. The teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She fears the Lord, and she shall be praised.”

Thank you, Mom for the love you have given – for the joy you showered on all of us – and for the example of a great woman!

Mailboxes… etcetera

bseitz — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:27:24 +0000

Just got back from Florida. The warm sun, running to the beach, walking with my granddaughter, visiting with family, ocean breezes… Each day was wonderful.

The first day I was there I walked Layla’s neighborhood with her and we talked about all the funny & interesting things she saw from her stroller. There were times she tried to stand up a la Kate Winslet in the bow of the Titanic and she smiled as she enjoyed the ever changing views.

Layla and I decided that I would take pictures of everything that we thought was interesting. I promised her I would continue to do so on my side trip to the Keys. So, Layla, this blog is dedicated to you. Here are our pictures. Thank you for the pat hugs, for blowing me kisses, for laughing when I danced to Sesame Street, and for so much joy. I miss you already – can’t wait to plan my next trip to see you again.

~ Beth (aka Moe)

Happy Birthday, Baby!

bseitz — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:53:00 +0000

Elmo- who doesn’t love the furry little guy who brings joy wherever he goes. He was the star appearance at Thomas’ First Birthday Party this past Saturday. Grandparents and great grandparents came by to celebrate Thomas turning one. Thomas’ day was full of joy and a LOT of excitement.

First – make sure that all the players are rested for the big event!

Iris and then Thomas get ready for all of the big doings!

Just about time for the birthday party to begin – Thomas is all suited up!

What??? I can’t open the presents yet? That just doesn’t seem fair!!!

Iris has already had enough for the day and the fun has just begun.

An Elmo card from Grandma…And she gave me this cool talking dog.

Happy Birthday to you… Happy Birthday to you…

No smashing for Thomas – not sure of his cake by the look on his face.

Presents get a better response – especially this cool Duplo table from Grandma and Grandpa.

Great Grandma and Grandpa gave Thomas this cool coat – he’s ready for COLD weather!

A Fun day – and Thomas went to bed EXHAUSTED!

~ Beth

Wine … because you can

bseitz — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:57:00 +0000

To those of our friends who know Jess and I, you understand that we have been visited in the month of August with what we are calling “bad August Mojo.” Oh sure we have laughed about all of the crazy things that have filled this month BUT – we are also planning a end of the month purging. September winds will come bringing a cool change of the air and the awesome colors that come with those cooler temps.

In honor of the end of this August, I thought that our Internet friends should hear about a great find discovered yesterday. Jonathan and I have taken to exploring very recently. So where do you look for a cool place to ride? Trust your Garmin – that little gadget that tells you how to get places also comes with options such as “What if we have a Sunday to ourselves and we want to go someplace?” rides.

It lured us to a trail that is in the northeast of Atlanta – pushing us along as we watched our little screen car wind around the same roads we were on. The top was down and the hair was blowing. To make it even better, we sang to John Denver. Ok – Jonathan sang – he knows more of the words. I chimed in loudly when I felt the need or softly if there was a love ballad.

Ellijay … Jasper… Dalton all “okay” but not the ride we expected – we thought our little Garmin had let us down. On we pushed and came into Cohutta – a place that unfolded into green and lush and rolling land. A beautiful reminder that Atlanta has not yet sprawled too far. As we were winding through this beauty a sign popped up for “Cohutta Springs Winery.” I know what you are thinking – a winery in North Georgia?? but – what the heck – we drove in to try it out.

We met Paige as she was reading on the front porch of a beautiful log cabin structure. Inside we went with her to taste their wines. They use all their own or local grown fruit and have created a wonderful array of wines. There was sweet for me… and dry for Jonathan. Adam, Paige’s husband chimed in and we spent a delightful time trying different flavors – walking away with some VERY interesting choices!

As you walk out of the store, the whole valley lays in front of you. To have met wonderful people who have put their heart into a new venture… to be able to see the beauty of what is called the Fairy Valley, we left with joy knowing we had found that unique someplace where a happy memory will always live.

If you get up their way, please visit with Adam and Paige. Their website is:http://www.cohuttasprimgswinery.com. The drive there will put you in a wonderful mood and then the company and the wine will make the rest of your day HAPPY!

Thinking you might like to see some of what we found so delightful, I took some pictures to display what we brought home to enjoy.

Great choices to share with friends this fall!

mmmmm…. a sweet white wine that tastes of strawberries…

Crabapple Cinn – a blend that is just waiting for cooler temperatures and a fire!

This “Jacks Red” is awesome for me – a sweet red wine for dessert!

A cabernet to enjoy with dinner!

To Jess whose Sunday in Atlanta was a torrential downpour… we promise to share the great wines we found with you! To Adam and Paige we wish you great success and hope to send many friends your way!

Happy Birthday Beth!

bseitz — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:54:00 +0000

Happy Birthday to one of the kindest and coolest photographers I know!

Beth – may you have a very happy birthday filled with lots of joy!

~jess

If I had known grandchildren would be this much fun, I would have had them first!!

bseitz — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 19:10:00 +0000

A week is not enough for vacation. Trying to cram the rest you need, to enjoy some time alone, to visit with family – that’s a lot to ask for a week of vacation. But – we did it anyway.
We took all the time we could to catch up with Layla, our 10 month old granddaughter. She toddles around – and nothing is off limits to her. She wants to know EVERYTHING!

This is my favorite picture from our trip – Layla and me sharing a laugh!

When we first arrived Layla had to check out her Pop. By the end of the week, they had formed a tight bond.

Layla is a Gymboree baby – and she loves it. At Gymboree she reminded me a bit like Ricochet rabbit – if you remember that cartoon. No sooner had she conquered one activity – or climbed one station… she was on to another!

Pop caught this great shot of Jonathan Jr. pushing Layla up through the rungs!

Ready to take a rest!

If Layla is anything like her mom – she’ll be playing this keyboard soon!!

Loves when Daddy throws her in the air!

Layla disguised at the Busch Animal Shelter… reminiscent of ET?

The Animal Shelter had a LOT to see.

Some of the animals at the zoo!!

Layla always reaches out to people. She loves everyone – no surprise since her mother never meets a stranger.

Our trip was short but our hearts were full with the joy we had in seeing Layla… and her mom and dad!

It’s ok to be silly

bseitz — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:10:00 +0000

Last Thursday, Beth and I had the joy of attending the launch party for Atlanta Occasions Magazine held at The Foundry at Puritan Mill, which is a pretty awesome venue with a lot of character. Scrumptious food was provided by Endive, along with some great tunes by Lethal Rhythms. Although I never did manage to hear my requested Journey song, the evening was a fantabulous (yes, that’s right it’s fantastic + fabulous) one for a wonderful new magazine.

Early in the evening, we discovered the photo booth and had a little fun. In my opinion, when you step into a photo booth you’re just required to be a little silly, and luckily I have no problem fulfilling this requirement. The nice folks from WOW Photo Booth even let us come back a second time for color images after we had the black and white taken.

The photo booth is a great idea for weddings and any other type of event. It didn’t take long at all to get the prints in either color or black and white. Plus, you can personalize the center part, so brides and grooms could put their names and wedding date there. And WOW Photo Booth even has options for a guest book so the couple can keep part of each guest’s strip of images, that way everyone leaves with a great reminder of the evening.

Happy Monday!
~jess

Look – A Deer!

bseitz — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:39:00 +0000

There is a joke in our family that comes from our many travels. Jonathan was the main driver – I was the one who read the books… kept the peace. It was our kid’s job to behave – HAH! As we traveled along, the kids and I would be engrossed in the book or game of the moment.

On many trips, Jonathan – who has keen eyes – would see a deer by the side of the road. As we whizzed by, he would always say – “Hey – look at that – a Deer!” Because of the speed we rarely saw the “phantom” deer and from there came the joke. We said many times that he must be seeing things. When we did see one, it was a source of great joy as we kidded Jonathan that this time there really was a deer.

Because that has been a joke in the family for so long – Dad saying there was a deer when clearly there was none that we could see – I find it ironic that our back yard studio is now filled with them. From the next room, Jonathan will call – Come on out – a deer is in the backyard! And this time there is one to view.

While the people who will most enjoy this story are my family, I still wanted to share – and to post pictures so that there is proof of the deer this time! A Doe and her twin fauns have been happily grazing on our grass. So – to our kids – Look, A Deer!

HB to our Design Queen

bseitz — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:58:00 +0000

A year and a half ago, I was at a wedding consultation where the couple brought along their friend to see my work and give her opinion. She had studied fine art photography in college and also worked for a photographer in her home town for many years. She was quiet and I focused on the bride!

A few days later our studio was having someone come in who had answered our ad from Craig’s List for part time help. As the woman walked in I was sure I knew her – she explained she had been the friend at the wedding consultation (I menitoned earlier that I do tend to focus on the bride during the consultation!!) Her name was Jess – and we hired her on the spot!

I could never have imagined that day what Jess would bring to our studio. Incredible designs for our marketing pieces and client photographic art… a friend to laugh with at life’s craziness… album queen who can create a work of art for the bride and groom in no time flat… a woman who knows who she is even at her relatively young age … a technology whiz who patiently explains that the reason my computer is doing ________ is not because I have discovered a flaw that no one in Microsoft knows about but rather I have my thumb stuck on the keyboard … someone who shares my obsession with Chick-fil-A sweet tea… and the list goes on.

To Jess – a very Happy Birthday today. Thank you for all you do to make the world around you a better place. I wish you joy for this day.

Whistle Stop Farmer’s Market

bseitz — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:10:00 +0000

Lucky – that is how it feels to live in a small town in America. Especially when our town – Norcross – is nestled into a huge city like Atlanta. We have the best of both worlds. Zip to the city lights if we want or walk to the center of town and enjoy the fabulous events that are alwasy happening on in our little nook.
After many years of working on a plan, we have a Farmer’s Market! Tixie Fowler, our wonderful City Coordinator, has made it happen. Find information on our Merchant website: http://www.norcrossnow.com/

Who knew that Farmer’s Markets have grown to include breads and jams and cheeses and… and…well LOTS of YUM! We took home some incredible sundried tomato goat cheese and three berry jam. Talk about memories that last. I can still taste the jam that melted onto my toast this AM!

Each June our Norcross Neighbors – www.norcrossneighbors.com – hosts an Ice Cream Social and we give out ice cream in bowls or cones to all the little faces in the park that afternoon – some of the big ones get ice cream too! Mojito’s – a scrumptious place to eat cuban food in town provided the ice cream again this year. (Look them up on www.urbanspoon.com) If vanilla and choclolate weren’t glorious enough, they have created a signature sorbet named after their restaurant! Scrumptious!!! Many satisfied customers later – we had to find a faucet to de-sticky ourselves! But it was worth it to see all the smiles!

If you live close by – stop into our town and visit with us. We’d love to have you!! You can also check out all of the eventsfor the summer at the city website: http://www.norcrossga.net/!